Following the completion of the RFP process to focus on longer term housing strategies, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, City Councilmembers, and Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced $1 million available to ensure a continuation of homeless services for current providers to ensure no shelters close this winter. With up to six months of funding for all operating shelters in 2017, the City is working with agencies to ensure no current shelter programs serving people experiencing homelessness will close in the upcoming months, including those offering overnight-only programs like those run by SHARE/WHEEL.

“As we double the number of people moving into permanent housing and create more 24/7 enhanced shelter beds and services, we must ensure a compassionate transition for those who depend on current providers,” said Mayor Durkan. “Our City must work relentlessly to move people out of encampments and off our streets into permanent and affordable housing. I’m committed to creating additional short-term shelter, including micro-homes, to provide safer, healthier alternatives to living outside for those experiencing homelessness.”

“I am pleased that all shelters currently funded will remain open this winter. I have heard many fears expressed that under the City’s new investment approach people will be pushed outside into the cold. That is not the case. Rather, the goal is to invest wisely in programs that care for people first – such as enhanced 24/7 shelters and more housing units. The City’s thoughtful bridge funding will get us to summer, and I applaud the work of Mayor Durkan and the Human Services Department in creating a regional system that will house more people respectfully. After all, everyone deserves more than a mat on the floor or a tent on the sidewalk,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw (District 7, Pioneer Square to Magnolia).

“This critical funding will ensure that current emergency shelter beds for our neighbors experiencing homelessness will continue to be available, while at the same time we transition funding priorities toward 24/7 enhanced shelters for immediate needs. Ultimately, this is a step in the direction of funding permanent housing for those in need, with the support services necessary to keep that housing sustainable,” said Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide).

In November, HSD recently awarded $34 million in homeless investments for 2018 to move more people into housing, and to address racial disparities among Black/African American and Native American/Alaska Native communities. In the funded proposals, providers outlined their strategies to move more than 7,000 households experiencing homelessness into permanent housing in 2018.

For programs that have seen funding changes for 2018, HSD will be allocating resources and transition funds to ensure providers are eligible for short-term assistance while adjusting their operations. The department has assembled $1 million in funding, primarily from savings from projects in other divisions within HSD, staff savings, and other departmental administrative savings. There are 33 programs at 12 agencies who are eligible for transition funds to seamlessly continue operations from 2017 into the new year and for up to six months of 2018, which includes investments to DESC to enhance their shelter program.

“HSD is prioritizing service continuity in the response system even as there are changes resulting from the funding awards,” said Catherine Lester, Director of the Human Services Department. “We are working hand-in-hand with agencies to track each client, and to make sure there are adequate resources for them through this shift. Planning with agencies is beginning this week to determine how much time and funding each program needs to transition their programs to other funding sources or alternate services.”

The first priority is being given to shelter programs that are needed during the winter months. This includes those offering mats-on-the-floor, overnight-only programs like those run by SHARE/WHEEL, who did not receive ongoing funding in the RFP process. This transition time also allows for those shelters that were awarded funds through the RFP process to operate more 24/7-and/or-enhanced-shelters to come into full operation. These enhanced shelters include a place for people to stay inside longer, with fewer restrictions, and with more case workers and support, ultimately leading to moving more people into housing.

Secondly, HSD is providing some funds for programs that provide housing stability services such as rental vouchers for transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and/or permanent supportive housing. HSD is working with agencies offering these services to ensure these clients can remain housed and to identify staff impacts.

Finally, HSD is providing some funding to continue outreach and engagement as the city’s new outreach continuum that the department is organizing comes together. This funding will extend the work of providers such as the Downtown Seattle Association’s outreach team that currently canvases downtown and surrounding areas. Additionally, HSD will continue providing technical assistance as well as work on transition plans with providers such as Women’s Referral Service – Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services to ensure a seamless transition.

Through the RFP process, HSD funded 30 agencies and 98 high-performing programs that will double the number of people moving into permanent housing to more than 7,000 in 2018, up from the 3,026 projected households expected in 2017.

Appeals were made by 15 of the 57 agencies who applied for the Human Services Department’s competitive funding process, which prioritized programs that moved people into housing and focused on the disproportionately-affected Black/African American and Native American/Alaska Native populations. No appeals were upheld.

All applicants for the funding were notified of the award decisions on Nov. 27. Agencies were then able to file an appeal to the HSD Director on technical merits within five business days. The City then had five business days to respond to the appeal. For an appeal to “have merit,” the appellant must have demonstrated that there was either bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest; or that there was a violation of policies, or failure to adhere to guidelines or published criteria and/or procedures. All decisions were finalized within the timeframe established in the submission guidelines.

The complex and emotional nature of the homelessness crisis often leads to misconception and myth, which can hinder efforts to pursue effective solutions.

In an effort to better understand the area’s homeless population and their needs, and better inform the City’s response, the Seattle Department of Human Services recently contracted with Applied Survey Research to conduct a large-scale homeless needs assessment. With the assistance of interviewers who had experienced homelessness themselves, 1,050 unsheltered individuals were contacted and multiple focus groups were held with 80 attendees in late November.

The survey results released March 3 served to dispel several commonly-held myths about the City’s homelessness crisis by revealing that:

1. Most of Seattle’s homeless population is from here, with nearly 70 percent living in Seattle/King County when they most recently became homeless. This counters the notion of “Freattle” — the oft-repeated claim that Seattle draws other states’ homeless people with the promise of free services. In fact, most of those living unsheltered say they fell into homelessness while already here, which is “consistent with other communities who solicit this information,” according to the report.

2. Family and jobs, not handouts, are the reason most people come to Seattle. More than 35 percent of those surveyed who were not from Seattle said they came here to be with friends and family, and more than 33 percent they came seeking work. Only 15 percent said they came to access homeless services. According to the report, “the survey suggests that the length of time of local residence is probably not too different from the general population and people come to the area to access their personal safety nets, job opportunities, and for other common reasons.”

3. For the vast majority of those surveyed, living outside is not their first choice. They want housing. From the report:

Ninety-three percent (93%) of survey respondents reported that they would move inside if safe, affordable housing were available. This is commonly referred to as the “homeless by choice” question and suggests that the “traveler” or “nomadic” sojourner does not represent a significant group.

Rental assistance (68 percent) and housing affordability (65 percent) were the top two answers given by respondents when asked what they needed to obtain housing.

4. Employment and education alone are no safeguard against homelessness, and many of those living unsheltered do work. While more than half of respondents said they were unemployed or unable to work, 41 percent said they are currently working in some capacity (full-time, part-time, temporarily, or seasonally), and 35 percent reported completing some college or attaining a college degree.

“This survey was an opportunity to hear directly from people experiencing homelessness in Seattle about who they are, how they became homeless and how we can best offer help,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “In taking this in-depth look, the City confirmed known needs like more affordable housing, as well as treatment and support for mental health and substance abuse disorders. It also showed the significant racial disparities and that homelessness disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ community. Because little help has come, particularly from the federal government, this assessment clearly shows Seattle must expand its investment in what is most needed, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, if we are going to address the crisis of homelessness.

“The City’s work under Pathways Home emphasizes the need for this individualized approach to offering services,” said Mayor Murray, “and this assessment offers a better understanding of the complex set of needs that can inform that work.”

“It’s very important that we talk to the people affected by homelessness so we can direct our city resources more precisely, but also look system-wide to make sure our “safety-net” has the support that homeless individuals say they need to move into housing successfully,” said Catherine Lester, Director of the City’s HSD. “While the results may not be all-together surprising, they are important touch points to inform our community’s work to provide a more efficient and effective system to move people out of homelessness.”

Given this weekend’s forecast for cold weather and possible snow, severe weather shelter capacity is being extended:

King County Severe Weather Shelter is open Friday night, Feb. 24, Sunday night, Feb. 26 and Monday night, Feb. 27, at the King County Administration Building at 500 4th Avenue in Seattle. The Severe Weather shelter is open from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and serves up to 50 adult men.

Emergency overflow shelter will be available Saturday night, Feb. 25, at the William Booth Center at 811 Maynard Ave. South. Up to 50 adult men will be served at this location SATURDAY NIGHT ONLY.

Women needing shelter during this period should go to the City Hall Shelter at 4th & Cherry in Seattle at 7 p.m.

Referrals are not required for emergency shelter.

These services are staffed by the Salvation Army. For weekday information, please contact 206-684-0231.